Simon Grayson believes the backbone Sunderland showed at Preston North End must be the turning point in the Black Cats’ season.

The Black Cats responded to their 5-2 humiliation at Ipswich Town with a much-improved performance at Grayson’s old club, but when Preston scored twice in as many minutes to cancel out George Honeyman’s opener and turn the game on its head, Sunderland could easily have gone under.

But instead they hit back quickly to equalise through Aiden McGeady and looked the more likely victors in the final half-hour, albeit they had to settle for a point in the end.

Grayson says his side’s response demonstrated character, and hopes that that game will be viewed as a pivotal moment in Sunderland’s campaign.

“Let’s hope we’ve turned the corner,” he said. “Sometimes there are pivotal moments in a season.

“I think the performance reflected that in terms of, when we conceded two goals very quickly and found ourselves 2-1 down, we didn’t crumble, we got back into it quickly and after we equalised we were the dominant team and looked like the most likely winners.

Lee Cattermole (Image: Sunderland AFC)

“It was a good reflection of what we have in the dressing room.

“Some people might question the character of the players or their attitude sometimes, but I see them every day and I know they are hurting with the results over the last few weeks.

“They have so much care for this football club, and they are desperate to do well.

“Let’s hope that when we look back at the end of the season, we can say that Preston was the turning point.”

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If that is to be the turning point, Sunderland must follow up by finally earning their first home win of the season this weekend when Queens Park Rangers visit the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats’ winless streak on home soil covers five games on Grayson’s watch, but extends all the way back to December last year with Sunderland having now gone a total of 16 games in all competitions without a win on Wearside.

Grayson said: “Somewhere along the line we have to get the monkey off our back, definitely, and why not this weekend?

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Grayson said: “The supporters are vitally important because they are there through thick and thin and we have to give them something to cheer about.

“We have to be positive in our approach, we have to take the game to the opposition and make sure our fans are enjoying what we are doing – that’s the bottom line.

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“Winning football matches will make everybody a lot happier. We haven’t done enough of that so far this season.

“Let’s move forward. As quickly as you can lose a few games and move down the table in this division, three wins in a short space of time can certainly take you up the table.

“Our attitude hasn’t changed from Day One – we still want to be somewhere near the play-offs, we want to be promoted if we can this year, and that’s still viable because of the nature of the Championship and how tight it is.”